The National Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Chief Michael Koleoso, yesterday said Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa is not the chairman of the party. He advised Akinjenwa to desist from creating confusion.
He also debunked the remarks credited to Akinfenwa that AD has adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate. According to him, Akinfenwa merely expressed a personal opinion.
Koleoso said since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) turned down the fusion of the party with Action Congress of Nigeria (AC N), AD has initiated merger talks with the party.
He said AD was in alliance with ACN for elections, adding that majority of party members supported the collaboration.
Koleoso said Akinfenwa was being mischievious by laying claim to AD’s chairmanship, recalling that the leadership tussle in the party had been resolved by a Federal High Court, Abuja, which affirmed him as the authentic chairman.
“As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has derecognised the Rev. Okechukwu Obiohah-led executive, the commission should also de-recognise Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa as the AD chairman. This should be based on INEC’s compliance with the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that I am the authentic chairman. On the basis of that, INEC should not recognise any other person parading himself as chairman”, he added.
Koleoso said the merger talks between AD and AC N would continue in accordance with due process.
Also, AD Vice Chairman (Southwest) Rev. Tunji Adebiyi defended the alliance between AD and AC N, saying the party was involved in similar collaboration with the All Peoples Party (APP) in 1999.
He said Akinfenwa lacked the power to speak for AD on any matter because he is not a member of the National Executive committee (NEC).
Adebiyi lamented that the former senator, who was part of the Yoruba Progressive Leaders meeting convened by Chief Lere Adebayo, has now become a lackey of President Goodluck Jonathan.